Shrimp Lures

Red drum, spotted seatrout, mangrove snapper, flounder, grouper, striped bass, and snook are just a few examples of saltwater fish species that you can catch using shrimp fishing lures.

How To Select Shrimp Fishing Lures

If you are just learning how to fish with artificial baits, shrimp lures are a good choice because they are one of the easiest and most reliable saltwater fishing lures for you to start out with. Not sure about which sizes or weights to use? Don't worry, just think a little bit about where you plan to fish and which species you want to target to determine the best artificial shrimp lures to use during your outing.

Consider the fact that large saltwater shrimp lures won't be easy for a mangrove snapper or sheepshead to bite, while small shrimp lures may not be as enticing to a red drum or a snook. As far as weight, fishing deeper pockets or holes will require you to use heavier shrimp fishing lures that get down closer to the bottom of the water column. In any event, you should try to keep a variety of artificial shrimp sizes and weights stored in your tackle box in case you come across an unexpected species or decide to switch fishing spots.

Shrimp Lure Techniques To Use

When fishing with shrimp lures, you don't need to remember anything complicated. Just watch the motion of a live shrimp as it swims through the water in a bait bucket or near a fishing pier. You can take note of how the shrimp behaves, and then imitate that movement using one of two simple techniques.

Popping Cork Technique

One of the best techniques to use when saltwater fishing for red drum or spotted seatrout is to rig your artificial shrimp fishing lures underneath a popping cork. As soon as you know what the water depth is, and where the fish are feeding, you can adjust the length of your leader between the popping cork and your lure. Once you cast your line out, twitch your rod tip every few minutes to mimic the action of a live shrimp.

Jigging Technique

Jigging or bouncing your artificial shrimp lures between the middle and the bottom of the water column can be particularly effective when learning how to catch grouper or flounder. Just tie your lure directly to your leader line when using this method. From there, just make a cast and allow your lure to sink down to the bottom. Then, use a slow jigging motion, combined with a few quick snaps of the rod tip, to recreate the action of a fleeing shrimp. The fish will have hard time resisting your shrimp lure presentation!